BY DEBO OLADIMEJI
THE Handlifters Praying Group, led by Pastor Chinyere Adegboye, has concluded a five-week spiritual campaign, titled, ‘Africa Has Come of Age,’ inspired by Hebrews 11:24, which featured intense praise, worship, intercession, deliverance and prophetic declarations for the transformation of Africa.
Speaking about the divine origin of the programme, Adegboye said: “On April 17th, while in prayer for Africa, the Lord said to me, ‘Africa is not poor; we have poor leadership.’
“He instructed me to raise an altar of intensive praise and deliverance for the continent. That same day, as I studied Hebrews 11:24, the spirit of the Lord reminded me of how Moses confronted Pharaoh to liberate God’s people.
“In the same manner, I was burdened to begin interceding for Africa’s deliverance from modern-day slavery, especially through her leaders.”
She stated that transformation in Africa must begin with its leaders and policy-makers, adding: “If the presidents don’t lead right, the citizens can’t follow right. We must pray fervently for African leaders, one by one, across all 54 nations.”
This divine burden led her to discover President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has been applauded for his humility and visionary leadership, including purchasing 900 tractors to drive agricultural reform.
She recalled: “God showed me Captain Traoré and confirmed that his coup was not ordinary, but divinely orchestrated.
“Unlike others, he drives a car he’s used for over ten years and lives simply. I began praying for him because when one leader gets it right, others will be inspired.”
She said this initiative is completely self-funded, as she has received no financial support from any government official or leader.
In addition to interceding for African leaders, Adegboye is also passionate about rescuing street boys, popularly known as Area Boys, and rehabilitating them to become what she now called “Jesus Boys,” adding: “Every last Saturday of the month, we go out for evangelism with food, clothes and sometimes cash.
“Many of them are victims of broken homes, poverty or drug addiction. I’ve picked up about 12 boys from the streets and by God’s grace, we’re working to provide shelter, counseling and vocational training, such as carpentry, bricklaying, IT and farming.”
This, she explained, is not a new initiative, but part of a longstanding outreach that has transformed previous sets of destitute youths, some of whom now boldly preach the gospel and support the ministry with their tithes and seeds.
He stated: “Just as Africa must rise, our youths must also rise. We can’t leave our children on the streets when they’re part of God’s divine future for the continent. Africa has come of age; our mindset must come of age too.”
Her husband, Pastor John Adegboye, echoed her conviction: “No one else will tell us Africa has come of age, not Asia, not Europe, not America. We must awaken ourselves and shift from the slavery mindset. This is our defining moment.”
